Mechanism for rotating slabs and billets



May 11, 1965 D. E. FIGLEY MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SLABS AND BILLE'IS Filed April 9, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. oomup 4'. A7625) A TTOR VEYS May 11, 1965 D. E. FIGLEY MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS Filed April 9, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- 0044410 4: F/Gli) BY 1% W A 7701?! J May 1 1, 1965 Filed April 9, 19 3 D. E. FIGLEY MECHANISM FOR' ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ll M y 1965 D. E. FIGLEY MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9, 1963 INVENTOR. 00110410 '.F/6'Y ,MMY ML ATTOK/V' 6 May 11, 1965 D. E. FlGLEY MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS Filed April 9, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

00/1/44!) AF. F/Glfy BY MAM, Maw/Y ATTORfi y 11, 1955 D. E. FIGLEY 3,182,817

MECHANISM FOR' ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS Filed April 9 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

DON/4Z0 4". 1 /645) LUWWwZ May 11, 1965 D. E. FIGLEY MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SLABS AND BILLETS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 9 1965 INVENTOR.

med V440 A". #7644 m; Mm

A rrokwsrs United States Patent 3,182,817 MECHANISM FOR RQTATING SLABS AND BILLETS Donald E. Figley, Owosso, Mich assignor to Mid-West Abrasive (Iompany, Owosso, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 271,731 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates generally to mechanism for rotating an elongated workpiece and refers more particular- =ly to mechanism for rotating a metal billet or slab to present difierent surfaces thereof to the action of a tool such as a grinding wheel. p

In the surface grinding of a workpiece such as a metal billet or slab, it is necessary to periodically rotate the workpiece in order to present all faces to the action of the grinding wheel. Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a slab or billet rotate or turnover mechanism which is fast acting, efiicient and of simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which is adapted to turn a workpiece in successive increments so that each side thereof can be operated upon in succession.

Another object is to provide a rotate mechanism which is designed to turn the workpiece increments of 90 or 180. 7

Another object is to provide a combination Work supporting and turning mechanism comprising a fixed support for one edge portion of the workpiece, a second support for supporting at least the opposite edge portion of the workpiece, and means for lowering the second support from a supporting posit-ion level with the first support to cause the workpiece to rock about the first support as a fulcrum, and for thereafter returning the second sup port to supporting position. 7

Another object is to provide a combination work sup porting and turning mechanism comprising .a fixed sup port for one edge portionofthe workpiece, and an elongated member or .arm pivoted for vertical swinging about a horizontal axis spaced from the firstsupport, the elongated member or arm extending from the pivot axis toward the first support and when horizontal extending level with the fixed support so as to provide an additional means of support for the workpiece.

Another object is to provide means selectively operable to swing the elongated memberfrom a normal horizontal work supporting position to a doWnwa-rdly inclined position so that the workpiece can turn about the fixed support as a fulcrum, and to thereafter return the elongated member to its substantially horizontal work supporting position.

Another object is to provide a novel power mechanism for swinging the elongated member.

Another object is to provide, in association with and as a part of the'turnover mechanism, apparatus for use in conjunction with the elongated member when the latter is in downwardly inclined position to facilitate the turning of the workpiece over onto the elongated member.

Another objectis to provide work supporting and turnover mechanism'which includes a plurality of work turnover devices spaced apart lengthwise ofthe workpiece, all of the devices being of the same construction and each including a fixe-d worksupport and an elongated member swinga-ble downwardly fir-om a horizontal work suppor ing position to cause the workpiece to turn about the fixed support as a fulcrum. V I Another object is to provide spaced work supporting and turnover devices as described in the preceding para graph, having means between said devices for clamping 3,182,817 Patented May 11, 1965 ice the supported workpiece against a fixed abutment in proper position for grinding.

Another object is to incorporate with the means for clamping the workpiece against the fixed abutment, means to facilitate the rotation of the workpiece.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention, taken on the line i i of FIGURE 2.

'FIGU RE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on the line 36 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an elevati-onal view of the clamping device, taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is an eievational view of a modified form of the apparatus, taken on the line 99 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view taken on the line 11-411 of FIG- URE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-42 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 11. 1

FIGURE 14 is a view of the clamping device, taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional View taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 1616 of FIGURE 14.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and especially to FIGURE 2 thereof, the apparatus of this invention will be seen to comprise the plurality of laterally spaced supporting and turning devices 10, which are of identical construction. Between the devices 10 is the clamping device 12. It will be understood that more than two turning devices 10 may be provided. The number depends, in part upon the length of the workpiece B. Ordinarily, two and perhaps three or even more of the turning devices 10 may be provided. They will be spaced apart'along the length of the workpiece, which in this instance is a long square billet. Where twoturning devices 10 are employed, as shown in FIGURE 2, at least one clamping device 12 is provided between the turning devices. Where additional turning devices are employed, preferably additional clamping devices are also provided between the additional turning devices, so that there are clamping devices provided alternately between the'turning devices.

Since the turning devices 16 are identical, only one will be described in detail. Referring particularly to FIGURES 1-5, each turning devcie will be seen to comprise a fixed frame ld-having identical laterally spaced, parallel, opposed upright sides 16 and 18. The sides are mounted upon and project upwardly from the base plates 20. The sides are of the configuration shown in FIGURE 3, being cut down along their top edges as indicated at .22. The base plates 20 may rest upon the floor and the floor may be provided with a pit under the base plates to clear certain operatingmechanism described more fully hereinafter. i

At the rear of the sides 16 and 18 are the upright end plates 30. Rests or work supports 34 are secured to the front surfaces of the end plates 30 at the tops of the sides 16 and 18. The rests 34 are fixed, being secured to the upright end plates 30 by any suitable means. The rests have flat horizontal top surfaces 36 which lie in the same plane and provided a supporting surface for the 'rear edge portion of the bottom of the billet B. The end plates 3% project above the billet supporting surfaces 36 of the rests to provide vertical abutment surfaces 37 which lie in the same plane. The rests 34 serve as trip members about which the work fulcrums or rotates when turned, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

An elongated member 38, which cooperates with the work supports or rests 34 in the support of the billet and therefore likewise may be considered a rest, is disposed between the sides 16 and 18. The elongated member 35 is an arm having a flat upper surface 44) which, when the arm is in the horizontal position shown in FIGURE 3, lies in the sameplane as the top surfaces 36 of the fixed supports 34. The front end of the arm 38 is pivoted to the sides 16 and 18 by a pin 42. The pin 42 is horizontal and extends in the direction of length of the billet B. To provide a stronger support for the ends of the pin and to center arm 38, bosses 43 are welded or otherwise permanently secured to the inner sides of sides 16 and 18, through which the. pin extends. The arm 38 extends from pin 42 in a rearward direction, and is parallel to the sides 16 and 18. The rear end of the arm 38 extends between the work supports 34. The end plates 39 are spaced apart far enough to provide ample clearance for the rear end of the swinging arm.

The arm 38 is swung in a vertical plane by mechanism including the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 46 and the toggle linkage 48. The toggle linkage comprises the links 50 and 52 the adjacent ends of which are pivoted together by a pin 54. The upper end of link Stl is pivoted to the swinging arm 38 by the pin 56, and the lower end of link 52 is pivoted on pin 58 supported on side plates 16 and 18. The link 52 is centered on the pin 58 by the bosses 663 on either side thereof which are rigidly secured to the sides 16 and 18 and suitably bored to receive the pin.

The links 50 and 52 are actually double link members. As shown in FIGURE 4, the link 59 comprises a pair of spaced, opposed, parallel link members 62 which are pivoted to the ends of the pin 56 on either side of arm 38 at their upper ends, and to the ends of the pin 54 at their lower ends. The link members 64 of the lower link 52 are likewise parallel, spaced and opposed to one another, the ends of each being pivoted to the respective pins 54 and 5 as clearly shown in FIGURE 4.

The piston-cylinder assembly 46 comprises a cylinder 66 pivoted to the frame 14 by the pin 68. The pin 68 is horizontal and extends parallel to pins 42, 54, 56 and 58, and the cylinder has a piston (not shown) reciprocable therein which is provided with a rod 70 extending from the cylinder and connected to an eye 72. The eye 72 is pivoted on the pin 54 between the link members 64 of the lower link 52. When the piston of the assembly 46 is extended, the toggle linkage 48 is made straight as shown in FIGURE 3, to support the arm 38 in horizontal position. At this time, the toggle linkage is vertcial. In order to lower the swinging arm 38, the piston of the assembly 46 is retracted to fold the toggle linkage as shown in FIGURE 1. The base plates 20 are of course formed to clear the cylinder 46.

It will be understood that the turning devices 10 are in exact horizontal alignment, their abutments 37 occupying the same vertical plane and the rest surfaces 36 occupying the same horizontal plane. The top surfaces of arms 38 also occupy the same plane and the arms swing in unison. When in the horizontal FIGURE 3 position, the top surfaces of the arms 38 occupy the same horizontal plane as the top surfaces 36 of rests 34. The various pivots of the two turning devices are also aligned.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 6, ,7 and 8, the clamping device 12 will now be described. The clamping device serves to clamp the billetfor grinding. The clamping device 12 comprises a fixed frame 8% which includes the identical, spaced, opposed sides 82 and 64. The sides 82 and 84 are parallel and extend upwardly from the base plate 99. The clamping device includes a clamping jaw $6 which is an elongated member pivoted to the sides 32 and 84 on a horizontal pin 102. The pin 102 extends through bored bosses 1%13 secured to sides 82 and 83, which bosses center the jaw 96 on the pin. The upper end of the jaw 96 has a clamping part 164.

The jaw 96 is pivoted for swinging in a vertical plane on the pin 102 by mechanism including the double-acting hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 1&8. The hydraulic assembly 108 is pivoted to the frame 84 on a horizontal pivot pin 110 which is parallel to the pin 42 which supports the work supporting arm 33. The hydraulic assembly 103 includes cylinder 11?; with a piston (not shown) reciprocable therewithin. A clevis 114 is secured to the rod 116 extending from the piston, and the arms 11% of the clevis straddle the jaw 96 and are pivoted thereto by a pin 12%. The base plate 91 is formed to clear the hydraulic assembly liltl. The floor upon which the base plate rests may have a pit likewise to clear hydraulic assembly 108.

The jaw 96 of the clamp is shown retracted in FIGURE 1. However, as shown in FIGURE 6, the jaw may be swung rearwardly to clamp a billet firmly against abutments 37.

As shown in FIGURE 1, hydraulic lines 12% and 121 lead to opposite ends of one of the double-acting cylinders 46. Similar lines of course lead to the ends of the other cylinder 46. A 4-way, 3-position valve 122admits hydraulic fluid under pressure to the rod end of the cylinder 46 via line 12d and exhausts the head end of the cylinder via line 121 when the valve is in the A position, to retract the piston. In position B, the hydraulic connections are reversed to extend the piston. In the C position, hydraulie fluid is trapped in both ends of the. cylinder to hold the piston in any desired position. Valve 122 may be manually operated; Line P is a pressure line and line B is an exhaust line. The lines serving the ends of the other cylinder 46 will branch from the lines 12% and 121 so that the valve 122 will simultaneously operate both cylinders. Hence arms 38 will swing simultaneously and in unison.

The double-acting clamp cylinder 108 is served by a similar hydraulic system having lines leading to opposite ends of the cylinder controlled by a similar 4-way 3-position valve. This valve and the hydraulic lines are shown in FIGURE 6, and have the same reference characters followed by the letter a. Hence the valve'may be used to extend or retract the piston in cylinder 1%, or to hold it in any desired position.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1-8, it may first be assumed that the billet B is in the FIGURE 3 position in which its rear edge portion is supported on the fixed rests or supports 34. The arm 38 of each turning device 1% extends under the billet and supports the entire width dimension thereof. It will be understood that each of the supporting and turning devices 10 will support a section along the length of the billet in the same manner, because they are in precise alignment with each other with the top surfaces of the supports 34 and of the arms 38 in the same horizontal plane, and the abutment surfaces 37 in alignment with one another. The cylinders 46 having of course been operated by shifting valve 122 so that fluid pressure goes to the head ends of the cylinders 46 and the rod ends are exhausted. The cylinders46 may if desired have stops preventing outward movement of the pistons beyond positions in which the toggles are straight. To make sure the rear side of the billet contacts and islocated by the abutments 37, the cylinders 46 may be operated to swing the jaw 96 in an upward counter-clockwise are so that the work engaging part 104 will engage the front side of the billet and push it in a rearward direction against the abutments 37. The billet is then in position for grinding pressure to the rod end of the cylinder and exhausting the head end. The cylinders 46 are then simultaneously operated to allow the toggle linkages 48 to fold, thereby swinging the arms 38 in unison in a downward arc. This is done by shifting valve 122 so that fluid pressure goes to the rod ends of the cylinders 46 and the head ends are exhausted. The billet will pivot about the upper front' corner of the aligned work supports or trip members 34 as a fulcrum, and in an intermediate position will be tipped as indicated in FIGURE 1. In this position the front edge portion of the billet will be supported on the inclined top surfaces 40 of the arms 38. The arms 38 will continue downwardly a little farther than shown in FIG. 1 until the center of gravity of the billet passes over the corner supported on the arms 38, so that the billet will then tip over and the surface thereof that previously was the front surface will now be fully supported on arms 38.

When the billet has tipped over, the valve 122 for the cylinders 46 is reversed (it may if desired be momentarily held in the C position before being shifted to the B position) to simultaneously raise the arms 38 back to the FIGURE 3 horizontal position, in which the top surfaces 40 of the arms are level with the top surfaces 36 of rests 34. The toggle linkages are now straight and vertical to provide a firm support for arms 38. The billet will have been turned 90 but probably will rest on the arms in a position spaced forwardly from the abutments 37 and rests 34. The clamp cylinder112 will then be operated to extend the piston therein and thus swing the jaw 96 in a counter-clockwise arc to engage the front face of the billet and push it back againstthe abutments (FIGURE 6). The billet will then be supported by both the arms 38 and rests 34. The clamp jaw 96 may be held in pressure engagement with the front face of the billet to clamp it tightly against the abutments during grinding of the top surface.

FIGURE 3 shows a small square billet B. It will be understood that the apparatus may also be used to rotate such a small billet 90 increments. The arm 38 need be lowered only far enough to cause the billet to tip over. Then the arms may be raised back to horizontal position.

Referring to FIGURES 9-16, a modified form of the apparatus is shown, which is especially adapted to handle the long flat rectangular slab S. The' apparatus comprises a plurality of supporting and turning devices .210, which are of identical construction, and a clamping device 212 between the turning devices 21th. More than the two turning devices 210 may be provided, as was true of the billet apparatus of FIGURES l-8. Where more than two turning devices 210 are employed, preferably additional clamping devices 212 are provided between the additional turning devices, so that there are clamping devices provided alternately between each of the turning devices. I

l The turning devices 219 are identical, and therefore only one will be described in detail. Referring particularly to FIGURES 9-13, each turning device 210 comprises a frame 214 having identical laterally spaced upright sides 216 and 218. The sides are mounted upon and project upwardly from the base 220 which is formed with a large opening 222 between the sides. The sides are of the configuration shown inFIGURE 9 and will be seen tobe made up of the two side frame membe'r's 224 and 226. The side frame members 224 of each side are identical and opposed to one another, as are the side frame members 226. The base plate 220 may rest upon the floor, and beneath it is the framework 228 which defines a pit in which the operating mechanism is provided.

At the rear of the side frame members 224 are the upright end plates 230. As seen in FIGURE 10, there is one end plate 230 at the rear end of each side frame member 224. .These end plates projectabove the tops of the frame members 224 and provide vertical abutment surfaces 232 which lie inthe same plane.

Work supports or rests 234 are fixed by any suitable means to the outer sides of the frame members 224. The work supports have flat horizontal top surfaces 236 which lie in the same plane and provide a supporting surface for the rear edge portion of the bottom of the slab or workpiece S. The rests 234 serve as trip members about which the work fulcrurns or rotates when turned, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

A11 elongated member 238, which cooperates with the work supports 234 in the support of the slab and therefore likewise may be considered arest, is disposed between the sides 216 and 218. The elongated member 238 is an arm having a flat upper surface 240 which, when the arm is in the horizontal position shown in FIGURE 11, lies in the same plane as the top surfaces 236 of the fixed supports 234. The front end of the arm 238 is pivoted to the front. frame members 226 of the sides 216 and 218 by a pin 242. The pin 242 is horizontal and extends in the direction of length of the slab. To provide a stronger support for the endsof the pin and to center a-rm 238, bosses 239 are welded or otherwise permanently secured to the inner sides of frame members 226, through which the pin extends. The arm 238 extends from the pin 242 in a rearward direction, and is parallel to the sides 216 and 218. The rear end of the arm 238 extends between the work supports 234. The end plates 230 are spaced apart far enough to provide ample clearance for the rear end of the swinging arm. 7 The arm 238is swung in a vertical plane by mechanism including the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 246 and the toggle linkage 248. The toggle linkage comprises the links 250 and 252 the adjacent ends of which are pivoted together by a pin 254. The upper end of link 250 is pivoted to the swinging arm 238 by the pin 256, and the lower end of link252 is pivoted on pin 258 supported in the frame structure 228 below base plate 220. The link 252 is centered on the pin 58 by the bosses 260 on either side thereof which are rigidly secured to the framework 228 and are suitably bored to receive the pin. V

The. links 250 and 252 are double link members. As shown in FIGURE 12, the link 250 comprises a pair of identical, spaced parallel link members 262 which are pivoted to the ends of the pin 256 on either side of the arms 238 at their upper ends, and at the ends of the pin 254 at their lower ends. The link members 264 of the lower link 252 are likewise identical, parallel and opposed .to one another and their ends are pivoted to the respective pins 254 and 258 as shown in FIGURE 12.

The piston-cylinder assembly 246 comprises a cylinder 266 pivoted to the framework 228 by the pin 268. The pin 268 is horizontaland is parallel to pins 242, 254, 256 and 258, and the cylinder has a piston reciprocable therein which is provided with a rod 276 extending from the cylinder and connected'to an eye 272. The eye 272 is pivoted on the pin 254 between the link members 264 of the lower link 252. When the piston of the assembly 246'is extended, the toggle linkage 248 is made straight, as shown in FIGURE 11, to support the arm 238 in horizontal position. At this time, the toggle linkage is vertical. In order to lower the swinging arm 238, the piston of the assembly'246 is retracted to fold the toggle linkage as shown in FIGURE 9.

The top surfaces of arms 238 also occupy the same plane,

and the arms swing in unison. When in the horizontal FIGURE 11 position, the top surfaces 240 of the arms are in the same horizontal plane as the top surfaces 236 .of rests 234. The various pivots of the two turning devices are also aligned.

Referring to FIGURES 9,. 1O, 14, 15 and 16, the clamping device 212 will now be described. The clamping device not only serves as a means for clamping the workpiece in an intermediate position for grinding the edges, but also assists in the rotation of the slab and in positioning the slab against the abutments 232. The clamping device 212 comprises a fixed frame 28!) which includes theparallel, spaced sides 282 and 284. The sides 232 an'd234 are identical and, as seen in FIGURE 14, areformed of the side frame members 286 and 288. The frame-members 286 of the two sides are opposed to one another and of identical configuration, as are frame members 288. The frame members extend upwardly from the base plate 290 which is formed with a large opening 292 to clear the operating mechanism for the clamp, part of which is disposed beneath the plate in a pit formed by the framework 294. The clamping device includes a pair of clamping jaws 2% and 298. The jaw 296 is an elongated curved member pivoted to the frame structure 294 on a pin 302. The upper end of the jaw 296 has a clamping part 304. The jay/296 is pivoted for swinging in a vertical plane parallel to sides 2%2 and 284 on the horizontal pin 302 by mechanism including the doubleacting hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 3%. The hydraulic assembly 308 for. swinging the clamping arm 2% is pivoted to the depending framework-294 on a horizontal pivot pin 310, and includes a cylinder 312 with a piston (not shown) reciprocable therewith. A clevis 314 is secured to the rod 316 extending from the piston, and the arms 318 of the clevis straddle the jaw 296 and are pivoted thereto by a pin 320.

vThe'other jaw 298 of the clamping device is composed of a pair of laterally spaced arms 322 and 324 which are likewise pivoted on pin 3%2. The arms 322 and'324 straddle the jaw 2%. The free ends of the arms making up jaw 298'are connected by a member 325 carrying a clamping part 326, and the jaw 298 is swung in a vertical plane parallel to sides 282 and 284 by the double-acting hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 330. The assembly 33% has a cylinder 33]. pivoted to the depending frame structure 294 on a horizontal pin 332, and has a piston (not shown) reciprocable'therein. An eye 334 is secured to the rod 336 of the piston, and extends between the arms of jaw 29%, being pivoted thereto by the horizontal pin 338. a

The jaws 296 and 298 of the clamp are shown in FIGURE 14 in their retracted positions, that is in the positions thereof in which the clamping parts 304 and 326 are farthest apart. They may be swung toward one another as is apparent in FIGURE 9.

A manual 4-way, 3-position valve 1221) is provided for cylinder 246. Connections to the cylinder are identified in FIGUREll by the same reference characters as used for the hydraulic systems previously described followed by the letter b. The toggle linkage is straightened when valve 1122b is in the B position to extend the piston of cylinder 246. The cylinder may have a stop built in to prevent outward movement of the piston beyond the straight condition of the linkage. In position B, the linkage is folded by a reversal of the piston, and in position C the linkage is held in any position and cannot move. It will be understood that the other cylinder 246 has similar hydraulic lines leading to it from lines 1201) and 121b, so that both cylinders 246 are operated simultaneously by valve 122b, Hence arms 238 swing in unison and always assume the same position. Manual 4-way, 3-position valves 122a and 122d are provided for clamp cylinders 330 and 308. The same reference characters as used for the hydraulic systems previously described are used to identify the cylinder connections, followed by the letter c or d. Obviously the clamps are operated independently, can be moved in either direction at will, and can be stopped and held in any desired position.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 9-16, it-may first be assumed that the slab S is in the FIGURE 11 position in which its rear bottom surface portion is supported on the fixed rests or supports 1234. The arm 23% of each turning device 210 extends under the slab and supports the entire width dimension thereof. It will be understood that each of the supporting and turning devices .219 will support asection along the length of the slab in the same manner, because they are in precise alignment with each other with the top surfaces of the supports 234 and of the arms 238 in the same horizontal plane, and the abutment surfaces 232 in alignment with one another. To make sure the rear edge of the slab contacts and is located by the abutments 232, the cylinder 33% may be operated by valve 122a to swing the jaw 29? in an upward counter-clockwise are so that the work engaging part 326 engages the front edge of the slab and pushes it in a rearward direction against the abutments .232. The slab is then in position for grinding of its top surface, and the jaw 2% may remain in'pressure contact with the front edge of the slab so that the slab is firmly clamped during grinding. However, the weight of the slab is usually enough that it does not have to be clamped by the jaw 29% during grinding. I aw 2% may therefore be retracted to the FIGURE 14 position during grinding, in which it is clear of the slab. I aw 12% is of course retracted to the FIGURE 14 position during grinding.

. When the top surface of the slab has been completely ground, the cylinders 246 are operated by valve 1221) to allow the toggle linkages 248 to fold, thereby swinging the arms 238 in unisonin a downward are so that they assume the FIGURE 9 position. In this position, the arms 238 are beneath the curved surfaces 226 of the side frame members 226. The slab will pivot about the upper front corner of the aligned work supports or trip members 234 as a fulcrum, and ultimately will assume the position indicated at S in FIGURE 9. In this position the front edge of the slab will be supported on the inclined surfaces 226 of the frame members 226. Obviously, if the arms 238 do not swing down quite as far as shown in FIGURE 9, then the front edges of the slab would be supported on the arms themselves. The amount of movement of the arms 238 is controlled by the valve 122b. The arms are capable of moving downwardly as far as shown in FIGURE 9, although they may be stopped earlier in their downward travel, if desired. The arms of course stop moving when the valve is shifted to the 0 position.

It is usually desirable to grind the edges of the slab, and during this time the slab is preferably clamped by the jaws to hold it against movement. For this purpose, the jaws 296 and 298 are operated by their respective hydraulic systems to swing the same toward one another so that their work engaging parts 304 and 326 may position and grip the slab firmly in the position shown at S2. The slab may also be contacted by the curved intermediate part of jaw 12% to be moved from position S to S2. In position S2, the slab is supported by the base 22! and is held against the fulcrum point of the fixed supports 234, being gripped on its opposite surfaces by the work engaging parts of the clamps. The rear edge of the slab, which is now uppermost, can now be ground. During grinding, the valve 122d for clamp 296 may be in the C position to provide a solid support for one side of the slab, and valve 1 22c may be in the B position to clamp the other side of the slab under pressure.

After grinding, the jaw 298 is withdrawn in a clockwise direction, and the jaw 2% is caused to follow in a clocksnsasw;

' wise direction to further turnthe slab so that its upperpart 304 closely follows the clamp part 326. The move-' ments may be controlled and slowed down by an intermittent movement of the'valves to the C position. The retraction of jaw 29% continues in'a clockwise direction to allow the partially turned over slab to lean against the upper corners 28-8 of the side frame members of the clamp (see FIGURE 9). Both jaws are fully retracted, that is returned to the FIGURE 14 position, and then the'hydraulic cylinders 246 are operated to straighten the toggle linkage 2-48 to return the arms 238 to the horizontal position of FIGURE 11. a In this position, the slab is again supported on the arms 238 but forwardly of the fixed sup ports 234. The jaw 2.98 isagain operated to pivot in an upward counter-clockwise arc and engage the front edge of the slab to push it rearwardly against the abutments 232. The jaw 2498 may be held in pressure engagement with the slab during the next grinding cycle, or may be withdrawn, as desired. The slab has been rotated 180 so that the previously ground surface is now the bottom surface which is supported, and the previously supported surface is now uppermost for grinding. It will be understood that while the apparatus of FIGURES '91-6 has been shownturning a slab 1 80, obviously it could be used to turn square billets 90". In the latter case, the forwardly swinging jaw 296, in many cases at least, would not be needed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A combination work supporting and turning mechanism comprising frame structure, an elongated member for supporting a polygonal Work piece pivoted at its forward end on said frame structure for vertical swinging, power means for vertically swinging said elongated member upwardly to a substantially horizontal work support ing position and downwardly from said work-supporting position, a fixed abutment on said frame structure adjacent the swinging end of said elongated member and projecting above the top surface of said elongated member when the latter is in its Work-supporting position to provide a stop for the work piece, means operative when said elongated member. is in work-supporting position for moving the work piece on the top surface of said elongated member rearwardly against said stop, a trip mem- 1 her mounted on said frame structure in fixed position at one side of the swinging end of said elongated member when the latter is in its work-supporting position, said trip member projecting forwardly of said stop, the top surface of said elongated memberin the work-supporting position thereof being at least at the level of the top surface of said trip member so that said-top surface of said posed beneath the rear edge of the work piece when the.

work piece is positioned against said stop on the top surface of said elongated member in the work-supporting position of the latter, to serve as a fulcrum for the work piece and cause the same to rotate when said elongated member is swung downwardly.

2. The mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said top surface of said elongated member, when the latter is in its work-supporting position, is a horizontal, continuous and uninterrupted surface from said stop forwardly a substantial distance to provide a continuous and uninterrupted work support.

3. The mechanism defined in claim 2, wherein the means for moving the Work piece rearwardly comprises an arm pivoted'at one end for swinging movement of its other end rearwardly toward said stop, said arm having a work piece engaging part at the swinging end thereof, and a piston-cylinder assembly for swinging said arm having a cylinder pivoted to a fixed support, a piston rod connected to said arm intermediate the ends thereof, and wherein a second arm is pivoted at one end for swinging movement of its other end in a forward direction, said second arm having a work piece engaging part at the swinging end thereof engageable with the rear of the work piece upon forward swinging thereof and operative when said elongated member is swung downwardly 'to rock the Work piece away from said trip member and thereby facilitate the turning of the work piece, and a piston-cylinder assembly for swinging said second arm and having a cylinder pivoted to a fixed support, and a piston rod pivoted to said second arm intermediate the ends thereof.

4. The mechanism defined in claim 2, wherein said power means comprises a toggle linkage having links the adjacent ends of which are pivoted to each other and the remote .ends of which are respectively pivoted to said elongated member midway between its ends and to said frame structure beneath the elongated member, and a piston-cylinder assembly connected to the pivoted adjacent ends of said links to operate said toggle linkage, said links being straight and vertical when said elongated member identical to the first is provided in spaced relation thereto,

and said means for moving the work piece rearwardly is positioned "midway between the two mechanisms.

trip member does not project above the top surface of said elongated membenwherebythetop surface of saidv elongated. member provides a full support for the entire width of the work piece when said elongated member is in work-supporting position, said trip member being dis- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS HUGO O. SCI -IULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION WORK SUPPORTING AND TURNING MECHANISM COMPRISING FRAME STRUCTURE, AN ELONGATED MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING A POLYGONAL WORK PIECE PIVOTED AT ITS FORWARD END ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR VERTICAL SWINGING, POWER MEANS FOR VERTICALLY SWINGING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER UPWARDLY TO A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL WORK SUPPORTING POSITION AND DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION, A FIXED ABUTMENT ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE ADJACENT THE SWINGING END OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER AND PROJECTING ABOVE THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS IN ITS WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION TO PROVIDE A STOP FOR THE WORK PIECE, MEANS OPERATIVE WHEN SAID ELONGATED MEMBER IS IN ITS WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION TO MOVING THE WORK PIECE ON THE TOP OF SURFACE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER REARWARDLY AGAINST SAID STOP, A TRIP MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE IN FIXED POSITION AT ONE SIDE OF THE SWINGING END OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS IN ITS WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION, SAID TRIP MEMBER PROJECTING FORWARDLY OF SAID STOP, THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER IN THE WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION THEREOF BEING AT LEAST AT THE LEVEL OF THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID TRIP MEMBER SO THAT SAID TOP SURFACE OF SAID TRIP MEMBER DOES NOT PROJECT ABOVE THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, WHEREBY THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER PROVIDES A FULL SUPPORT FOR THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE WORK PIECE WHEN SAID ELONGATED MEMBER IS IN WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION, SAID TRIP MEMBER BEING DISPOSED BENEATH THE REAR EDGE OF THE WORK PIECE WHEN THE WORK PIECE IS POSITIONED AGAINST SAID STOP ON THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER IN THE WORK-SUPPORTING POSITION OF THE LATTER, TO SERVE AS A FULCRUM FOR THE WORK PIECE AND CAUSE THE SAME TO ROTATE WHEN SAID ELONGATED MEMBER IS SWUNG DOWNWARDLY. 